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Infestation potential of Xanthopimpla konowi Krieger on tropical tasar silkworm cocoons and its mechanical management using nylon net

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Abstract

Tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta is an endemic wild silk fauna distributed in the tropical forests of India. Given the commercial value of tasar-silk, tribals and forest dwellers practice tasar-culture for their livelihood. Pre-designed rearing systems and tritrophic interaction have posed greater threats on silkworm by escalating natural enemies during outdoor rearing process decreasing the cocoon yield. Among the various natural enemies, the Xanthopimpla konowi is a noted parasitoid on A. mylitta affecting the production of both eggs and raw silk. Hence, this study was intended to reveal the infestation dynamics of X. konowi on tasar silkworms of Chhattisgarh in the past decade (2010–2021). X. konowi infested 1.87% to 6.13% of diapause seed cocoons of A. mylitta during 2010–20 and abruptly increased parasitisation of 12.08% in 2020–21. Heavy infestation in 2020–21 was recorded to be high in intensive rearing areas (20.87%) than extensive (4.93%) and exclusive bivoltine zones (4.34%). Further, the parasitization increased positively with the advancement of cropping season within the year in 2020–21. Moreover, the parasitization of X. konowi was significantly less (< 3%) on the cocoons harvested early and preserved inside the nylon net compared to delayed harvested and open field preservation (24%). Low paratisation was also observed in isolated rearing fields. Emergence pattern of X. konowi from diapause cocoons of heavy infested areas (24.74%, 8.10%, and 2.17% infested lots) obtained a normal curve compared to bimodal curve in low infested area lots (2.85%).

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank Mr. Rajit Ranjan Okhandier, IFS, Member Secretory, Central Silk Board for his constant encouragement and support. We thank all in-charge officers of BSM&TCs, State Sericultre officers and sericulture farmers of Chhattisgarh for their co-operation from 2010-21.

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  1. Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organisation, Central Silk Board, Bilaspur, CG, 495 112, India

    Chandrashekharaiah M, Rathore MS, Hasansab Nadaf, Vishaka GV & Sathyanarayana K

  2. Central Tasar Silkworm Seed Station, Central Silk Board, Kargi Kota, Bilaspur, CG, 495 113, India

    Mohanraj SS

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CM conceived the idea, performed experiment, collected and analysed data, and prepared the manuscript; SSM performed experiment, collected and analysed data and prepared the manuscript; RMS, HN, VGV and SK gave critical suggestion during manuscript preparation. The study was not funded by any funding agency.

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M, C., SS, M., MS, R. et al. Infestation potential of Xanthopimpla konowi Krieger on tropical tasar silkworm cocoons and its mechanical management using nylon net. Int J Trop Insect Sci 42, 2103–2112 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-022-00731-8

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